The One-Strike Trial
Jang Muhwi could not believe the sight before him.
He had hoped it was an exaggeration, but the reports had been accurate. The applicants who had seen the notice had swarmed the area like a living tide. All of them were directed toward Galmu-ryang, the Hyeonmu Unit’s only current member.
With his left arm sealed, Galmu-ryang was processing applications using only his right hand, sweat pouring down his face. His eyes were bloodshot; it looked as though he had not slept for days.
Some of the applicants had come from within the Murim Alliance, but the majority were orthodox martial artists from outside. Jang Muhwi studied the situation with grave intensity. Even he had not foreseen anything on this scale.
Wang Jimak had issued the notice, true, but the response was overwhelming. If he had to name a cause, it would be the aftermath of the Jangryong Merchant Group incident. Yet they had agreed to keep every detail secret until the matter was fully resolved. Even afterward, they would only reveal the illegal acts—kidnappings and unlawful imprisonment. The fact that the merchant group had abducted scholars and rogue warriors would be scandal enough; there was no need to broadcast the Demonic Cult’s involvement.
In other words, despite the Hyeonmu Unit’s achievements remaining largely unknown, this many people had still come? The more he considered it, the stranger it seemed.
Outsiders applying made sense. The compensation and treatment for the Murim Alliance’s Four Great Martial Units were quite generous. But even warriors from inside the Alliance were submitting applications. That could only mean the secret had leaked.
Jang Muhwi quietly joined the line of applicants. Ma Uiryong did the same. The big man stood grinning at the endless crowd.
“Big Brother, I had no idea the Hyeonmu Unit was this popular. Haha.”
“Let’s watch and see what’s really going on first.”
“Yes, Big Brother.”
Ma Uiryong rubbed his iron staff with obvious pleasure. It had become a new habit of his; he had polished it so vigorously that the metal now gleamed.
At that moment two warriors emerged after submitting their forms. Jang Muhwi recognized them—low-ranking guards who patrolled the pavilions. Since they did not know who he was, they made no effort to lower their voices.
“Isn’t serving in the Hyeonmu Unit better than regular guard duty?” one asked.
“But who knows how long the unit will even last? In terms of stability, staying where we are might be safer,” the other replied, eyes clouded with worry.
The first man gave him an incredulous look. “Think about it. If the unit disappears, we simply return to our old posts. They wouldn’t refuse to take back someone who served in one of the Four Great Units. I checked the regulations through a clerk I’m close with. Don’t worry about that.”
“Haha. That puts my mind at ease.”
“And the more important point is the nature of the work itself.”
“What do you mean?”
“It’s basically a place where you can play and eat all day. Even if it folds, you just relax until you’re reassigned. What’s there to hesitate about?”
“Now that you mention it, I’ve never actually seen the Hyeonmu Unit doing any real work. You’re right. Still, with competition this fierce, do you think we’ll pass?”
“Did you see the one-armed man organizing the documents earlier?”
“I did.”
“They’re so desperate they’re even hiring a cripple. They won’t turn away healthy men like us. Besides, it’s mostly Qinghai riffraff who showed up. There aren’t many serious applicants. Even that thug Chunsam from the three-way intersection came and left.”
“Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. Shall we go have a drink then?”
The two low-ranking warriors walked away laughing heartily.
Ma Uiryong, who had been listening beside Jang Muhwi, twitched an eyebrow.
“Big Brother. Should I kill them?”
“Kill whom? Shall I send you back to the old master’s hut again?”
“Ah, sorry, Big Brother.”
“Watch yourself from now on.”
Jang Muhwi gave him a sharp look. Pajuk Seonsaeng had smoothed out many of his rough edges, but the man’s temper still flared at unexpected moments. At least Ma Uiryong now endured personal insults without reaction. What he could not tolerate was anyone slighting Jang Muhwi. That alone was an improvement.
As evening fell, the line finally began to shrink. Jang Muhwi now understood the true reason behind the flood of applicants. Most had not come because they respected the Hyeonmu Unit; they had come because they thought it would be easy.
Soon it was his turn.
Galmu-ryang, frantically sorting documents, spoke without even looking up.
“Next applicant, please leave your form here and take your token.”
Sweat glistened on his forehead. He looked one step from collapse. Although Wang Jimak had issued the recruitment notice, Galmu-ryang had been the one to accept it, hoping to be of some help while Jang Muhwi was away. Even he had never imagined the deluge that would follow.
Then a familiar voice rang out.
“Close the applications for today.”
Galmu-ryang’s head snapped up. Jang Muhwi stood before him, smiling brightly.
“…Squad Leader!”
“You’ve worked hard. You may stop accepting forms now.”
“But we still haven’t found suitable candidates…”
“If none appear, we’ll simply continue with the people we have. Isn’t that right?”
“Understood, Squad Leader.”
Galmu-ryang nodded, then glanced behind Jang Muhwi. He realized his leader had not come alone. Ma Uiryong stepped forward and stood before him.
“I am Ma Uiryong, who serves Big Brother. I look forward to working with you.”
“I am Galmu-ryang, who serves the Squad Leader.”
Galmu-ryang narrowed his eyes. Sparks seemed to fly between the two men. The air grew hot, as though a bonfire had been lit between them. Neither blinked as they stared each other down.
Jang Muhwi spoke to Galmu-ryang. “Ah, yes. Can you accept one more application?”
“Another application?”
“Ma Uiryong here will also be applying.”
When Jang Muhwi glanced sideways, Ma Uiryong tilted his head.
“I have to take the test too? I’ve already…”
He shut his mouth quickly. He had nearly mentioned completing a mission before remembering that the Jangryong Merchant Group matter was still classified.
Galmu-ryang handed over a form without comment. “Here.”
“I’ll fill it out.”
Ma Uiryong reluctantly picked up the brush. He had spoken of taking the test on the way here, but that had only been an expression of his determination to join. He hadn’t expected to actually be tested. To his eyes, the one-armed Galmu-ryang looked far too weak. Still, thinking it was merely a formality, he quickly completed the form.
Galmu-ryang then extended his hand again.
“Didn’t I already give you the form?” Ma Uiryong asked.
“Pay the application fee. One silver coin.”
“W-wait. You’re telling me to pay a fee?”
“It is the Squad Leader’s order. He anticipated a situation like this and instructed me to collect the fee from every applicant. I have done so without exception.”
Galmu-ryang gestured toward the table piled high with forms. Beside it sat a large container overflowing with silver coins.
In truth, this recruitment was not without benefit. Every failed applicant’s coin would go into the Hyeonmu Unit’s coffers. It had been Jang Muhwi’s precaution against frivolous applications. Yet hundreds had still come, ignoring that deterrent. Fortunately, Galmu-ryang had remembered and carried out the instruction.
Ma Uiryong turned to Jang Muhwi. “Big Brother, can ya lend me some money?”
His speech had slipped back into rougher tones. Galmu-ryang shook his head, clearly unimpressed.
Two days later, at the Hyeonmu Unit’s training ground.
The normally quiet Murim Alliance Qinghai Branch had become as noisy as a marketplace since dawn, filled with warriors who had flocked to the scene. Some had even sneaked in and set up stalls beside the training ground to sell goods. Nor was that all. Every martial artist of note in the usually dull world of Murim had gathered. While many had come to take the test, the number of spectators was nearly double that.
Yet no one appeared nervous. They chatted leisurely, as if on a pleasant outing. Even the applicants seemed relaxed.
Then Jang Muhwi stepped to the center of the training ground and called out.
“We will now begin the test. It is very simple, so listen carefully. You need only withstand three moves from Galmu-ryang. However, you must receive the attacks without moving from your position.”
Everyone nodded indifferently. Jang Muhwi continued.
“For safety, training weapons are permitted. Choose a suitable one from the weapon rack. And…”
Before he could finish, someone shouted from the corner.
“Just start already!”
Jang Muhwi did not even glance in that direction. Instead, a faint smile touched his lips as he went on.
“Be careful not to get injured. Since you signed the application form, we will not cover any medical expenses. Now, let us begin. The first name I call, step forward. Kang Chunsam!”
At his shout, the first challenger walked out. He casually selected a wooden sword from the rack. Galmu-ryang, already prepared, stood before him holding a wooden staff.
The crowd immediately began to murmur. Their single concern was obvious.
“Isn’t this test too easy?”
“Exactly. This isn’t a test; it’s basically first-come, first-served hiring. And why worry about medical costs? Heh heh.”
“If I’d known, I would have applied on the first day…”
Their reasoning was sound. No matter how insignificant the Hyeonmu Unit had become, it could not recruit indiscriminately. At most they would need around ten members, yet at this rate the number of passers would be uncountable. It would turn into simple first-come, first-served recruitment.
Then Jang Muhwi’s voice rang out.
“Begin!”
Galmu-ryang stepped forward, wooden staff in hand. The first applicant smiled and twirled his sword. Galmu-ryang silently offered a courteous bow. The applicant returned it with clear reluctance. Anyone could see he was underestimating his opponent.
With an indifferent expression, Galmu-ryang spoke.
“Then I will begin.”
“I’m ready. Come whenever you like.”
The applicant answered with a broad smile. The spectators stood with arms crossed, looking bored.
Galmu-ryang raised the wooden staff high overhead, then brought it down in a single motion.
The strange thing was how slow the staff moved. It crawled forward like a turtle. Laughter erupted from the crowd.
But the first applicant unconsciously bit his lip. Despite the turtle-like speed, he could not avoid it. The slowly descending staff felt like an enormous iron plate falling toward him. The immense momentum it carried pressed down on him with pure terror.
He had always been confident in his toughness while working as a marketplace thug. Ordinary blades did not frighten him. Unlike the other thugs, he had even trained in the basics of swordsmanship through the Three Talents Sword Technique. Yet he desperately wanted to dodge this particular strike.
His feet refused to move.
He hurriedly raised his sword. If he did not want to die, he had to block it. The sword he lifted with difficulty arrived just in time.
The wooden sword and staff collided.
Crack!
The sword flew from his grasp, spinning wildly through the air.
Thud!
It landed noisily on the training ground. Murmurs rippled through the spectators.
Galmu-ryang spoke with the same indifferent expression.
“Would you like to continue?”